Political Science and Government at Holy Family University

Pennsylvania's political science programs show stark divides, with elite schools like Penn ($65,473) and Lehigh ($53,632) producing dramatically different outcomes than the state median suggests for Holy Family. Based on comparable programs across Pennsylvania, a graduate here would likely earn around $37,534 in their first year—barely above the national median for political science degrees but roughly $30,000 less than top in-state alternatives.

The estimated $26,000 debt load creates a manageable 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly eight months' salary. That's reasonable compared to many bachelor's programs, though it still represents a significant financial burden given the modest starting salary. Political science majors often pursue graduate degrees or public sector work with compressed early earnings, so even moderate undergraduate debt can feel constraining when career paths require additional schooling or accept lower-paying entry positions.

For families weighing this investment, the critical question is career trajectory. If your child plans law school, graduate study, or government work where Holy Family's Philadelphia location offers networking advantages, the debt burden won't sink those plans. But if they're expecting a bachelor's degree alone to launch a lucrative career, similar programs in Pennsylvania suggest more modest financial returns than the tuition investment might imply.